Taiwanese Debut Film Wins Global Acclaim

Taiwanese director Lu Po-Shun's debut feature, "Will You Still Be My Friend," is making waves internationally following its San Sebastián premiere and two Golden Horse nominations. The film, which Lu Po-Shun is now presenting at the Busan International Film Festival, explores the themes of adolescent friendship, local politics, and solar energy development.

Set in Yunlin County, the narrative centers on two boys whose bond is tested by adult conflicts within their community. Lu expanded upon his short film "When Henge Meets Crescent" for this feature, incorporating extensive field research to create a nuanced portrait of local dynamics. The film has been recognized with Golden Horse nominations for adapted screenplay and new performer.

Casting young actors like Jaden Wang was crucial, with Lu emphasizing the importance of working with children's personalities while guiding them to understand character development. The film's positive reception at San Sebastián, with sold-out screenings, and its general-audience classification in Taiwan, scheduled for a December 4 theatrical release, have further encouraged the director.

Lu aims to foster cross-cultural connections at Busan, hoping audiences connect with the boys' emotions and share relatable experiences. He also reflected on comparisons to Taiwan's New Wave cinema, acknowledging the importance of context and connection to past Taiwanese filmmaking. As both director and executive producer, Lu seeks industry partners and valuable audience feedback at Busan, acknowledging the challenges of securing distribution for emerging talents.